Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Thursday 26th August

Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. A list of partners is here.

We are running this daily chat thread on Head for Points during the coronavirus outbreak.

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions.  With the news flow being lighter, we are running fewer ‘Bits’ articles.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind.  At this tricky time, and given that many of you are at home, we want the HfP community to have a place to chat.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article.  This has long-term benefits as it keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

Comments (539)

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    Any update on Australia opening up? Might need to go on a work trip when they do…

  • James says:

    Hi all. If I cancel an upcoming 2-4-1 flight booking and redeem a FTV, what happens with the Avios? Are they returned to my account or attached to the FTV? Thanks.

    • Anna says:

      Attached to the FTV and you are also stuck with the same passengers, have to call BA to re-book, and need Avios availability to your destination!

  • Anna says:

    Just seen a Lufthansa Bombadier jet taking off at MAN – do these serve ordinary pax?!

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      I think so, why?

      • Anna says:

        Looks a very nice way to fly!

        • Anna says:

          About 6 people boarded it!

          • Super Secret Stuff says:

            The bombardier C series are lovely inside, regardless of how many people board!

          • His Holyness says:

            It’s not a C Series, they don’t fly for LH. They’re LX within LHG. It’s a Mitsubishi CR9. Crap aircraft, tiny cabins, typical wobbly ride, have to remove headphones in the exit for t/o and ldg.

    • Richie says:

      Are you referring to LH943 operated by D-ACNR.

  • J says:

    Sorry for repeat Q – For my new plat amex, do I get any bonus points for adding a supplementary card? If so, is there a link I can use for this as it isn’t being advertised on my account?

    Thanks!

  • JSemity says:

    Antigua

    Never been to a Caribbean Island however we’re looking for a long-haul destination for some warmth this September and Antigua looks rather appealing (provided we can dodge any tropical storms!). Accommodation looks reasonably priced. Tips on anything from where to stay, what to do would be appreciated. Looking to go for 1 week. Does anyone have recent experience of Covid entry requirements etc? All looks fairly routine for double jabbed travellers from what I’ve read so far.

    Thank you

    • Degsy says:

      My Brother in law and family have just returned from 10 days there. All relatively straightforward in terms of tests if you are double – jabbed (note this was when it was green, it’s rumoured it might move to amber today, so not sure if that would change anything).
      They stayed at St James’s club, and highly recommend it. High quality all inclusive with plenty of food/drink options and plenty of things to do.
      Lastly, one thing to research is which beaches are open – I know some have been closed due to problems with algae.

  • Paul says:

    More, or the same, rebooking issues…
    Booked club PHX in the 747 sale in October’20, for March’21. This was cancelled by BA in Feb’21, and rebooked to Sept’21. This was cancelled in Jun’21, and moved to a different flight, still Sept’21, and has now again been cancelled again.
    I have called (and managed to get through on BA Silver number after only 10 minutes…) twice now, and both times the agent has said I can only rebook up until Oct’21 due to 1 year ticket validity from original booking. I believed this was changed in July to rebook to within 1 year of flight dates, not original booking dates, and have said so to agent, but they remain firm that is not correct and original validity stands.
    Just checking my memory of changes before trying again, and maybe again, and again HUACA?

    • Reeferman says:

      I recall someone saying that you need to refer the BA agent to an internal memo dated 8th July (this year) – where the 12 month validity was changed from date of booking to date of flight

      • Lady London says:

        Try mentioning this to them then if they still don’t play ball, EU261 does not actually limit the date you rebook. So you’d win at MCOL. Particularly as these have all been BA’s cancellations and not your fault at all. It’s perfectly understandable and reasonable for a judge, where no limitation of time is included within the law, to consider the reasonable person’s reasonable situation. Which means most of us can only travel longhaul as little as once a year due to length of time needed away, annual leave, existing commitments, purpupose of trip (eg public or private family event) only occurring approximately once per year etc.).

        I think if you HUACA with what Reeferman says (if the new call gets any resistance) you have a good chance it will be done without problem. Good luck.

        • Lady London says:

          PS I think ticket numbers are irrelevant as that’s an admin thing that can easily be overridden in order to give you the rerouting you do have a right to, by BA making life easier for themselves and simply issuing another ticket. They’re willing enough to do it when it suits them and it’s not difficult at all.

    • Lyn says:

      Did BA reissue your ticket in February or June when they cancelled your flights?

      If so, my understanding from a recent conversation with You First is that would extend your flight window to within 1 year of the most recently issued ticket.

      I know this isn’t the same as the 1 year from date of new flight which other commenters have mentioned, but it might be easier to argue for if those dates happened to work for you for now?

      • Wayward says:

        Oh, that’s interesting. Does a ticket reissue mean a new ticket number, or would I need to get an entirely new booking reference?

        • Lyn says:

          Same booking reference but a new ticket number, which should be included in the e-mail from BA confirming the changes. Once you have accepted them of course.

  • His Holyness says:

    Does BP sell gift cards, either their own or other shops?

  • J says:

    SO it’s been nearly a month since the galactic card changed its policy. Has anyone been stung with fees yet for NS&I? I havent done any this month yet in anticipation..got a 16k credit limit I want to max out though.

    • Youllnever says:

      Only way to know for certain is to do a test right before you attempt anything else – who knows when/if the fee would start happening?

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.